Chapter 6

Michael had never experienced emotions like those he had watching Arabella with the farming family. He could not have felt more pride or admiration for the effort she was making, and the way the family responded to her was a delight.

When she caught up to him, he had started to panic, suddenly realising that by challenging her, he could have set her up to suffer a huge rejection. With increasing discomfort, he had ridden in silence, as she seemed to want to do, until they reached the farmyard.

As they were immediately surrounded by dogs and children, there was enough of a commotion that Arabella was not the centre of attention, but as Michael helped her to dismount, he could have groaned to see how pale she was. Her usual alabaster skin was almost ghostly. Taking the risk of acting in a forward manner, something that could get him sent away without a reference, he squeezed her hand in reassurance.

Thankfully for his future employment, she did not react badly to the touch but moved to the side of the horse that would hide a clear view of her. It tore him in two to realise that she always found a way to hide in any situation. It was wrong and saddening that she felt the need to conceal her flaws. She was still a beautiful woman, a pity she did not realise it.

Tom Corless and his wife came out of the farmhouse kitchen, and although there was clear surprise on their features at Arabella's arrival, they responded perfectly, making Michael immediately relax.

"You must have heard Mrs Corless putting the kettle on," Tom said, walking over to them. "Miss Betez, you are doing me a great honour by visiting us."

"Oh, shut up, you great oaf. Let the child inside before one of the dogs forgets themselves and jumps up at her. Cedric! Stop being idle and see to the horses!" Mrs Corless commanded one of the young boys in the yard.

Tom winked at them. "If you would like to follow the wife." Mrs Corless had moved back towards the house, with Cedric springing into action while Tom instructed one of the other children to control his dogs.

"Would you like coffee? Or there is some small beer if you would prefer," Mrs Corless asked Arabella.

She had not taken her bonnet off, and Michael knew that she was hiding beneath it somewhat, though it would not be unusual for her to keep a bonnet on inside when visiting. The scars could still be seen but were partially hidden by the veil on her riding hat. "Coffee would be lovely," he said, looking at Arabella in question.

"Yes, thank you. It is lovely and warm in here," Arabella said, looking around the kitchen.

"It is. A real pleasure when I've been on the fields all day," Tom said, coming into the room, kicking off his boots and rubbing his hands. "That top field on a windy day can be nothing short of freezing."

"Would you both like some cake? I've got a lovely pound cake just baked," Mrs Corless asked.

"Only if you are sure."

Michael could see that Arabella was still very uncomfortable and whispered conspiratorially. "I'm asking for a large piece. Mrs Corless's pound cake is legendary."

"You're as full of flummery as Tom here is," Mrs Corless scolded, but she did cut Michael a large slice. "I bet you don't remember coming to eat my cake when you were barely older than a babe," Mrs Corless said to Arabella as she handed out plates and poured the coffee.

"I do, but it was not this delicious cake. I would have remembered this," Arabella said appreciatively.

Mrs Corless beamed at her. "It wasn't, it was my blackcurrant cake you used to like the best, but you never refused anything I offered. It was always a pleasure to see a fine young girl enjoying her food."

Arabella blushed, but there was a smile on her lips. "Those were the days before I was out, and then everything changed as it was all about looking one's best."

"Tsk, those poor girls would probably kill for a hearty meal. There's nothing wrong with enjoying your food." As Mrs Corless was comfortably rotund, she was clearly a woman who appreciated her food.

Enjoying the cake, Michael spoke around mouthfuls. "How are the lambs doing?"

"Very well," Tom said. "The other ewes were happy to remain in their pens, thankfully we only had the one escape. No idea what she got into her head to go to the big house."

"How are lambs doing with the other sheep they had to be placed with?" Arabella asked.

"They're doing well. We've put one with Dolly, and she adopted the role easily. She's done it before, one of the most easy-going animals we've ever had. The other is with another lamb; Betsey is a sheep who can easily cope with two. Saves putting too much on a first-time mother, I can't believe she had three on her first birth."

"Has Dolly got her own lambs to feed too?"

"No, she had a surprise birth, and it died, as has happened before. She's got a strong supply of milk, but her lambs don't survive the birth. It's cruel, but it means the triplets have a good chance at survival. They are rascals, those three. They go between their mother, Betsey and Dolly to feed, the cheeky bunch. I'm surprised they are getting away with it, but so far they are."

Arabella laughed, which made Michael's smile widen. It was a real laugh, not a tinkle or a titter, but a throaty chuckle. "They sound like a lot of fun," she said.

"They'll be a whole lot of trouble when they get bigger," Tom predicted.

They were interrupted by the entrance of two of the children, a boy of about ten and a younger girl, probably aged around five or six. They looked shyly at the visitors, but then the boy spoke, clearly on impulse, for as soon as he had spoken, he looked in fear at his mother.

"Your face!" he had exclaimed unwisely.

"I will tan your hide for that, Mark!" Mrs Corless roared at her son, who stood mouth open as if not quite believing he had actually said the words he'd uttered.

Michael shot a look at Arabella, but although she had blushed at the outburst, he could see she was not as horrified as he had expected her to be.

"I was in a carriage accident," she said quietly.

"Miss Betez, there is no need to explain anything to this one," Tom said. "He will have a painful lesson on speaking out of turn later."

"Please do not beat him on my account," Arabella said quickly. "I may not like people noticing my injuries, but they are obvious to everyone."

Mark took a step towards Arabella, and Michael looked to move the boy from approaching her, but as she smiled at him in welcome, he remained seated.

"What would you like to know?" Arabella asked, interpreting the boy's movement as an eagerness to find out more.

"Were you scared?" Mark asked, looking in fear at his mother but clearly fascinated by Arabella.

"It happened so fast, there was hardly any time to be frightened," Arabella said. "I did not even feel pain until I had been thrown out of the carriage and only then when I was being moved onto a cart."

Mark's face was round with wonder, and his sister sidled up to him, transfixed on Arabella. "Did you think you would die?"

"Mark!" his mother scolded, making them all jump as Mark's question had been asked in an awed whisper.

"Honestly, I do not mind," Arabella said to Mrs Corless before once more turning to Mark. "Yes, and then sometimes when I was trying to recover, I thought it would be better if I had, but that was only when the pain was very bad. I do not think that way now."

Michael sucked in a breath considering the suffering she must have gone through and only to have an uncle as her nearest relative, without the support and comfort someone facing such horrors would long for. He ached that she had faced so much alone.

"Were you hurt bad?"

"You have seen my face, and my leg is injured, and my arm doesn't move as it should." She lifted her arm to show the limited movement. "Do you think that's bad?"

"But you can ride a horse!"

This time, Arabella chuckled. "Yes, I forced myself to walk and ride again. I can be very stubborn when I want to be, and I was determined not to be bedbound for the rest of my days."

"And that is quite enough of the impertinent questions," Mrs Corless said. "Mark, be off with you. I'll have no more of this hounding of Miss Betez."

Mark seemed to know he had got away with quite a bit as he made to the door, dragging his sister with him. Just before he disappeared outside, his head popped back around the farmhouse door. "Cedric has sorted the horses, Pa, and I think you're a top one for being in such danger, miss."

"Out!" Mrs Corless shouted. The door quickly closed, but Mrs Corless looked mortified. "I can't apologise enough…"

"Do not worry at all," Arabella said.

"He's a rapscallion," Tom confirmed. "I'll bet my next three lambs that he's out there now telling the others about what you have told him."

"Well, you just get out there and set them all to work," Mrs Corless commanded. "I won't have Miss Betez questioned anymore."

"Yes, my sweet love." Tom winked at his wife, kissed her on the cheek and then smiled at Arabella. "Give me five minutes to clear that lot away, and then come out, and I'll show you the triplets."

Michael leaned towards Arabella. "Expect all the children to be agog if they see you. I am sure Mark will have told them all about your adventure and how dangerous it was." He was surprised that his words brought a smile to her face.

"For once, I do not mind," she said, standing and moving out of the house after thanking Mrs Corless for her hospitality.

After watching the lambs and hearing Tom's tall tales of some of his animals' exploits, they returned to the farmyard, and Michael helped Arabella onto her horse from the mounting stone in the yard. He had already questioned Sullivan about how she managed to mount and was given clear instructions if he was ever to help her. Saying nothing, he had moved to the stone and offered his support, which she had accepted without a word.

Leaving the yard, they were waved off by Tom, there being no sign of the children or dogs.

Michael waited until they had entered the parkland before speaking. "I am sorry Mark was so blunt. I could have kicked myself for tormenting you enough to accompany me to visit them."

"You should feel guilty."

"I do, I can only promise never to do it again. I have learned my lesson."

There was a moment's silence, and then Arabella glanced at him. "I did not mind it."

"Are you saying that because it is true or that you want to ease my conscience?"

She laughed at him. Why was it that when she laughed at him, he felt ten feet tall and able to do anything? He had never felt so much about any other achievement in his life, yet a smile or a laugh from her and it was as if he could conquer the world.

When she had stopped laughing, she smiled at him. "You give yourself a lot of importance to think I would wish to ease your discomfort."

"I am nothing if not hopeful." He returned her smile, laughing when she grunted at him.

"My uncle has a lot to answer for."

"I agree, but to get back to the point, which you have very cleverly managed to side-step, you did not mind? I am surprised that you felt that way."

"So was I, but his outburst was not done with malice."

"I agree, although Mrs Corless might not think that."

"I hope she does not punish him. It was a reasonable response for a child."

"He thought you were some sort of adventuress."

"Instead, I am a recluse."

"You do not need to be."

"Mr Follett, you are overstepping the boundaries of your remit. I would not consider my activities are anything a steward would ever have any influence over, even one who was thrust on me."

Michael could have kicked himself. He had pushed her too far, too soon. They were doing so well, he had never expected that she would be relaxed around him, not for months at least, but she had been, and now she was as icy as she was at the start. "I beg pardon, I forgot myself."

"You certainly did."

They rode in silence, reaching the stables and walking into the house together. There was a large parcel in the hallway, which looked like a picture.

"Miss Arabella, this has just arrived, along with this letter," Sullivan said, looking as displeased as Michael had ever seen him.

Arabella took one look at the direction on the letter and paled. Michael immediately crossed to her.

"Is there something wrong?"

Arabella did not seem to hear him but walked to the picture, ripped the top of the wrapping which covered it and peered inside before recoiling away from it.

"Take it away!" she cried out, running as fast up the stairs as her injured leg would let her. "Burn it! I never want to see it again! How could he be so cruel?"

Michael and Sullivan were left staring at each other in shock.

"What the devil?" Michael asked.

"I am thinking a ghost from the past has just reappeared. If he has, he will have me to answer to." Sullivan struggled to pick up the painting and walked out of the hallway with it.

Michael stared at his back, torn between the urge to follow Arabella and try to help or to assist Sullivan. The practical side of him took over, and he offered his help to the butler.

She might be a recluse, but he was quickly coming to learn that life with Arabella was never dull.